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Alayande AB, Qi W, Karthikeyan R, Popat SC, Ladner DA, Amy G. Use of reclaimed municipal wastewater in agriculture: Comparison of present practice versus an emerging paradigm of anaerobic membrane bioreactor treatment coupled with hydroponic controlled environment agriculture. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 265:122197. [PMID: 39137457 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Advancements in anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) technology have opened up exciting possibilities for sustaining precise water quality control in wastewater treatment and reuse. This approach not only presents an opportunity for energy generation and recovery but also produces an effluent that can serve as a valuable nutrient source for crop cultivation in hydroponic controlled environment agriculture (CEA). In this perspective article, we undertake a comparative analysis of two approaches to municipal wastewater utilization in agriculture. The conventional method, rooted in established practices of conventional activated sludge (CAS) wastewater treatment for soil/land-based agriculture, is contrasted with a new paradigm that integrates AnMBR technology with hydroponic (soilless) CEA. This work encompasses various facets, including wastewater treatment efficiency, effluent quality, resource recovery, and sustainability metrics. By juxtaposing the established methodologies with this emerging synergistic model, this work aims to shed light on the transformative potential of the integration of AnMBR and hydroponic-CEA for enhanced agricultural sustainability and resource utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abayomi Babatunde Alayande
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, 342 Computer Ct, Anderson, SC 29625, United States.
| | - Weiming Qi
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, 342 Computer Ct, Anderson, SC 29625, United States
| | | | - Sudeep C Popat
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, 342 Computer Ct, Anderson, SC 29625, United States
| | - David A Ladner
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, 342 Computer Ct, Anderson, SC 29625, United States
| | - Gary Amy
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, 342 Computer Ct, Anderson, SC 29625, United States
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Oberoi AS, Surendra KC, Wu D, Lu H, Wong JWC, Kumar Khanal S. Anaerobic membrane bioreactors for pharmaceutical-laden wastewater treatment: A critical review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 361:127667. [PMID: 35878778 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticalsare a diverse group of chemical compounds widely used for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in both humans and animals. Pharmaceuticals, either in their original or metabolite form, find way into the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from different sources. Recently, anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR) has received significant research attention for the treatment of pharmaceuticals in various wastewater streams. This review critically examines the behaviour and removal of a wide array of pharmaceuticals in AnMBR with primary focus on their removal efficiencies and mechanisms, critical influencing factors, and the microbial community structures. Subsequently, the inhibitory effects of pharmaceuticals on the performance of AnMBR and membrane fouling are critically discussed. Furthermore, the imperative role of membrane biofouling layer and its components in pharmaceuticals removal is highlighted. Finally, recent advancements in AnMBR configurations for membrane fouling control and enhanced pharmaceuticals removal are systemically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akashdeep Singh Oberoi
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - K C Surendra
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaì'i at Mānoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | - Di Wu
- Centre for Environmental and Energy Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hui Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Jonathan W C Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Institute of Bioresource and Agriculture, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Samir Kumar Khanal
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaì'i at Mānoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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Sengupta A, Jebur M, Kamaz M, Wickramasinghe SR. Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Wastewater Streams Using Membrane Bioreactors: A Review. MEMBRANES 2021; 12:60. [PMID: 35054586 PMCID: PMC8778677 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Water is a very valuable natural resource. As the demand for water increases the presence of emerging contaminants in wastewater has become a growing concern. This is particularly true when one considers direct reuse of wastewater. Obtaining sufficient removal of emerging contaminants will require determining the level of removal for the various unit operations in the wastewater treatment process. Membrane bioreactors are attractive as they combine an activated sludge process with a membrane separation step. They are frequently used in a wastewater treatment process and can operate at higher solid loadings than conventional activated sludge processes. Determining the level of removal of emerging contaminants in the membrane bioreactor step is, therefore, of great interest. Removal of emerging contaminants could be by adsorption onto the biomass or membrane surface, biotransformation, size exclusion by the membrane, or volatilization. Given the fact that most emerging contaminants are low molecule weight non-volatile compounds, the latter two methods of removal are usually unimportant. However, biotransformation and adsorption onto the biomass are important mechanisms of removal. It will be important to determine if the microorganisms present at given treatment facility are able to remove ECs present in the wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Sengupta
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India;
| | - Mahmood Jebur
- Ralph E Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tikrit University, Tikrit 34001, Iraq
| | - Mohanad Kamaz
- Ministry of Oil, State Company of Gas Filling and Services, Karbala 56001, Iraq;
| | - S. Ranil Wickramasinghe
- Ralph E Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
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Harb M, Zarei-Baygi A, Wang P, Sawaya CB, McCurry DL, Stadler LB, Smith AL. Antibiotic transformation in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor linked to membrane biofilm microbial activity. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111456. [PMID: 34111440 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although extensive research to date has focused on enhancing removal rates of antibiotics from municipal wastewaters, the transformation products formed by anaerobic treatment processes remain understudied. The present work aims to examine the possible roles that the different microbial communities of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) play in the transformation of antibiotics during wastewater treatment. As part of this work, sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, and ampicillin were added in separate stages to the influent of the AnMBR at incremental concentrations of 10, 50, and 250 μg/L each. Antibiotic-specific transformation products detected during each stage, as identified by high resolution LC-MS, are reported herein. Results suggest that both isoxazole (sulfamethoxazole) and β-lactam (ampicillin) ring opening could be facilitated by the AnMBR's bioprocess. Microbial community analysis results indicated that relative activity of the system's suspended biomass consistently shifted towards syntrophic groups throughout the duration of the experiment. Notable differences were also observed between the suspended biomass and the AnMBR's membrane biofilms. Membrane-attached biofilm communities showed high relative activities of several specific methanogenic (Methanothrix and Methanomethylovorans), syntrophic (Syntrophaceae), and sulfate-reducing (Desulfomonile) groups. Such groups have been previously identified as involved in the formation of the antibiotic degradation products observed in the effluent of the AnMBR. The activity of these communities within the biofilms likely confers certain advantages that aid in the biotransformation of the antibiotics tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moustapha Harb
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lebanese American University, 309 Bassil Building, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Ali Zarei-Baygi
- Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, 3620 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, USA 90089
| | - Phillip Wang
- Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, 3620 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, USA 90089
| | - Christelle BouNehme Sawaya
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lebanese American University, 309 Bassil Building, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Daniel L McCurry
- Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, 3620 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, USA 90089
| | - Lauren B Stadler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, MS 519, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Adam L Smith
- Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, 3620 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, USA 90089.
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Novoa AF, Vrouwenvelder JS, Fortunato L. Membrane Fouling in Algal Separation Processes: A Review of Influencing Factors and Mechanisms. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2021.687422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of algal biotechnologies in the production of biofuels, food, and valuable products has gained momentum in recent years, owing to its distinctive rapid growth and compatibility to be coupled to wastewater treatment in membrane photobioreactors. However, membrane fouling is considered a main drawback that offsets the benefits of algal applications by heavily impacting the operation cost. Several fouling control strategies have been proposed, addressing aspects related to characteristics in the feed water and membranes, operational conditions, and biomass properties. However, the lack of understanding of the mechanisms behind algal biofouling and control challenges the development of cost-effective strategies needed for the long-term operation of membrane photobioreactors. This paper reviews the progress on algal membrane fouling and control strategies. Herein, we summarize information in the composition and characteristics of algal foulants, namely algal organic matter, cells, and transparent exopolymer particles; and review their dynamic responses to modifications in the feedwater, membrane surface, hydrodynamics, and cleaning methods. This review comparatively analyzes (i) efficiency in fouling control or mitigation, (ii) advantages and drawbacks, (iii) technological performance, and (iv) challenges and knowledge gaps. Ultimately, the article provides a primary reference of algal biofouling in membrane-based applications.
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